Photo courtesy of Bridgeport AtheticsPrince's Bay resident Kasey Kenny had team-leading totals in goals, assists, points and shots for the Purple Knights, who were ranked No. 1 in the nation for six straight weeks.

PRINCE’S BAY - Another player might have been content on just returning to the soccer field following surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or maybe garnering comeback player of the year honors.

Prince’s Bay resident Kasey Kenny, however, isn’t just another player.

The three-time Advance All Star from Tottenville High School went the extra yard in order to return for her senior year at the University of Bridgeport and, not only did she make a triumphant return, she was also recently named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II women’s soccer player of the year.

“I was very happy and surprised,” said Ms. Kenny, who had team-leading totals in goals (10), assists (7), points (27) and shots (44) for the 2011 Purple Knights. “I really didn’t know I was going to get it – you just never know (with awards).

“When I found out, I was very excited.”

The 21-year-old’s rise to the top of the ECAC was no doubt a form of poetic justice for the Mercy County Community College transfer. She was was five games into her junior Bridgeport career in the fall of 2010 when she suffered the injury to her right knee on the oddest of plays.

“We were playing New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and we had just given up a 1-0 lead with a minute left (in regulation),” said Ms. Kenny. “After (the ensuing kickoff), one of our defenders sent a long ball all the way toward NYIT’s net. Just as I one-touched it with my right foot, I collided with the goalie and fell.

“I had no idea I scored until my teammates were on top of me and although I was hurt, I just wanted to walk it off.

“But the trainer wanted to check it out. I went for an MRI and the next thing I knew, I was told I needed surgery.”

As is the case with most athletes with a torn ACL, the road to recovery was long and strenuous. Ms. Kenny rehabbed for 2-3 hours a day for seven months and was only cleared for contact on the first day of pre-season last summer.

“I was motivated to spend my last year playing,” said Ms. Kenny, who teamed with older sister Kelly to help Tottenville capture the 2006 PSAL city championship. “It’s my last year. I was going to go all out no matter what.

“I went into the season not thinking about my injury because when you do that, you wind up getting hurt again. Everything turned out fine – I just played and (played my senior year injury-free).”

And Bridgeport, to say the least, was better for it.

The center midfielder led the Purple Knights to an impressive 16-0-2 record. The only blemishes came via penalty-kick losses to Molloy College in the conference championship and UMass-Lowell in the NCAA East Regional semifinal.

“In the beginning of the year, one of our goals was to win the NCAA championship and we really came so close,” said Ms. Kenny, whose team was ranked No. 1 in the nation for six straight weeks. “I really thought we had a chance to win the championship and it was so disappointing to not do it.

“But we definitely had a great year. I couldn’t think of a better team to play for.”

When the season ended, the post-season honors started rolling in, including: Third-team Daktronics All-American; First-team All-East Region from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and East Coast Conference Player of the Year.

“It’s extremely satisfying,” she added. “I have no regrets.”

And according to Kenny, she’s not planning on hanging up her cleats just yet. The senior, who is studying fashion merchandising, said she’s planning on trying out for at least three teams in Women’s Professional Soccer, including the Philadelphia Independence (Friday), Sky Blue FC (New York/New Jersey) and the Boston Breakers next month.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work,” she said. “If I don’t make it, I’ll be disappointed, of course, but at least I’ll be able to say I tried.